Is the Factor Structure of the Internet Addiction Scale Replicable?

Abstract

Background: The Internet Addiction Scale (ISS), developed in the field of health psychology, is a German questionnaire consisting of 20 items. It is used to screen for Internet addiction. The study aims to replicate the factor structure of the ISS. Methods: Exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA) factor analyses were used to replicated the factor structure of the ISS in a sample of 1123 German adolescents and young adults (M=22, SD=3 years, 52% female). Results: EFA with default on 5 factors yielded no satisfactory solution; the results spoke for a one-factor solution. CFA of the original factor structure (5 scales and total value) showed insufficient model fit criteria (?2=1504.3, df=165, p<0.001, RMSEA=.09, CFI=.86, TLI=.83). Based on these results, items were eliminated. CFA showed acceptable model fit criteria (?2=985.2, df=125, p<0.001, RMSEA=.08, CFI=. 90, TLI=.87). Discussion: The proposed scale structure of the ISS could be replicated neither using EFA nor using CFA in the present sample. The results indicate that some items should be eliminated and others reworded. Further conceptual and psychometric research on the dimensionality of Internet addiction is needed.